Refuse compactor

ABSTRACT

A refuse container interiorly movably mounts a pressure plate to bear against the material being compacted, the container and plate defining a collapsable chamber. An endless seal carried at the periphery of the plate is responsive to a differential of external and internal pressures, induced by a vacuum pump that reduces the internal pressure of the enclosed volume of the collapsable chamber, to hermetically seal the chamber to effect compacting movement of the pressure plate. A vacuum breaker means is provided to equalize the internal and external pressures after completion of a compacting cycle, e.g., after a predetermined length of compacting stroke of the pressure plate, to permit retraction of the plate to a position of readiness for a successive compacting cycle. The process may be automatically controlled, e.g., by an electro-mechanical circuit. The container may be an element that is selectively separable from an assembly consisting of all the other elements of the invention.

[ Sept. 17, 1974 Peterson REFUSE COMPACTOR Primary ExaminerBilly .l.Wilhite 76 l t. Rb tA.Pt ,875 (1A 1 men or g gg 252 32 6 33f veAttorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Frederick E. Mueller [22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1973ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 387,463

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.254,067, May 17,

I972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 100/53, 100/51, 100/227, 100/233, 100/266, 100/269 A,100/295 [51] Int. Cl B301) 15/16 [58] Field of Search..... 425/405;264/102; 100/233, 100/51, 53, 266, 90, 264 R, 265, 226, 227, 228, 240,245, 295,269 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 293,3352/1884 Knapp 100/90 1,703,783 2/1929 Schmidt 100/265 2,465,839 3/1949Bloomfield 100/266 2,686,466 8/1954 Lee 100/295 3,478,909 11/1969Charles 100/266 3,575,103 4/1971 Charles 100/269 3,736,863 6/1973Brucker 100/53 A refuse container interiorly movably mounts a pressureplate to bear against the material being compacted, the container andplate defining a collapsable chamber. An endless seal carried at theperiphery of the plate is responsive to a differential of external andinternal pressures, induced by a vacuum pump that reduces the internalpressure of the enclosed volume of the collapsable chamber, tohermetically seal the chamber to effect compacting movement of thepressure plate. A vacuum breaker means is provided to equalize theinternal and external pressures after completion of a compacting cycle,e;g., after a predetermined length of compacting stroke of the pressureplate, to permit retraction of the plate to a position of readiness fora successive compacting cycle. The process may be automaticallycontrolled, e.g., by an electro-mechanical circuit. The container may bean element that is selectively separable from an assembly consisting ofall the other elements of the invention.

27 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PArimanse mw 3.835;I67

sum 2 OF 3 r 5k W's PAIENIE sEP 1 mm 3-835 6 sum 3 or a REFUSECOIVIPACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This is a continuation in partof my application Ser. No. 254,067, filed May 17, 1972 now abandoned.

This invention relates to refuse compactors adapted principally toproviding compacting of garbage in a domestic garbage can or receptaclebut which may also be utilized for the waste of commercial andindustrial establishments.

Heretofore it has been proposed to employ super atmospheric pressuremeans expandable downwardly from the cover for compacting the refuse inthe can. Such devices become expensive and in some instances possiblydangerous in the event of the development of excess air pressure. Theyrequire specially constructed cans and covers with attachments to securethe two together and withstand the pressures developed. The source ofcompressed air has generally been connected by a hose to the cover whichwas susceptible to disconnection by children or other users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the trashcontainer internally mounts a movable pressure plate, these two elementsdefining a collapsable chamber. The plate peripherally mounts an endlessseal that contacts or is engagable with the inner walls of the containerfor defining a hermetic seal for the chamber during a compaction strokeof the plate. The can or container is evacuated of air to effect ahermetic sealing action of the seal and to provide the necessary motivepower for moving the pressure plate in a compaction stroke against anopposing wall of the container. The entire power unit may constitute anassembly separate from the container, e.g., it may be contained within acover for a can, and needs only suitable electrical connections thereto.To effect interruption of the compacting cycle and to permit subsequentretraction of the pressure plate, a vacuum breaker means may beemployed, either as a part of the control circuit or as a mechanicalmeans independent of the control circuit that interrupts contact of theseal with the inner wall of the container after a predetermined lengthof stroke of the pressure plate. The pressure plate may be positivelyconstrained through a cycle of compaction and retraction strokes by arigid guide means or it may be relatively freely mounted to provide fora reasonable tilting of the pressure plate as may be determined by theload of refuse in the can. Constantly tensioned springs may be employedto move the pressure plate to a retracted position after the vacuumwithin the container has been relieved. Automatic means may be employedto limit the movement of the pressure plate and/or determine thecompacting stroke thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a vertical central sectionthrough a can and cover with the pressure plate disposed in itsretracted upper position and, in phantom, in an extended compactingposition.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the pressure plate with parts brokenaway and sectioned to show the power unit and various parts in thecover.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of one form of the sealingmeans and its environment.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram showing the controls for actuating the motorand determining the compacting operation.

FIG. 4-a is an elevational view of a portion of a retraction tape forthe pressure plate.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention,with portions thereof being cut away to reveal interior details ofconstruction.

FIG. S-a is a perspective view of the hinge structure shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a front to rear sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view on a larger scale, illustrating oneembodiment of a rigid guide means for the pressure plate.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the area 8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10a is a partial, rear quarter perspective view of the containercover hinge structure of the device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10b is a sectional view on the line l0b-l0b of FIG. 10a.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a partial vertical sectional view schematically illustratingan embodiment of a mechanical vacuum breaker means.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a vertical central section through another embodiment of theinvention employing yet another form of mechanical vacuum breaker means.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view on the line 16-16 of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Refering to the drawings, FIGS.1-4 illustrate the invention as embodied in a back door domestic refusecompactor, including a can 1, disposed with an open top for receivingbags 2 of garbage and refuse or the like. A cover 3 has acircumferential skirt 4 adapted to fit upon the upper edge or rim 5 ofthe can. A pressure plate 6 is disposed horizontally in the can 1 andsuspended therein from cover 3 by means of three reeled tapes 7 biasedby a constant tension spring roll construction 8 to lift the pressureplate to its uppermost position when not being actuated to compactrefuse in the can.

The pressure plate 6 comprises a generally flat circular disc 9 to whichthe lower ends of tapes 7 are at tached, and a generally corrugated faceplate 10 spaced downwardly therefrom and secured at its circumferentialedge to disc 9. The outer circumferential edge of pressure plate 6 inthe embodiment of FIGS. 13 is sealed against the inner wall of can 1 bya yieldable rubber-like member 11 of generally a piston cup type withone edge thereof secured between the edge portion of disc 9 and the edgeportion of face plate 10 and with the flanged side of member 11 bearingagainst the wall of the can 1 and allowing for tilting of the pressureplate as shown in phantom in FIG. 1 by reason of an offset load ofrefuse in the can.

The springs 8 of the constant tension type are sufficiently strong toretract the pressure plate 6 to its uppermost position after acompacting operation and to retain the pressure plate in the retractedposition until the next compacting operation.

Compacting is effected by evacuating the air in the can from beneaththepressure plate whereby the latter is forced downwardly upon therefuse by the atmospheric pressure above the pressure plate. For thispurpose an electric motor 12 and a vacuum pump 13 are carried by thecover 3 in the space between it and the pressure plate 6. The input tovacuum pump 13 is connected by a quantity of flexible tubing 14 to anopening 15 in disc 9, the tubing 14 providing for extension as thepressure plate moves downwardly in can 1 increasing the distance betweenpump 13 and opening 15. The discharge 16 of pump 13 opens directly intothe space between cover 3 and the pressure plate 6. A suitable series ofopenings 17 in cover 3 connects the space between cover 3 and pressureplate 6 freely to the outside atmosphere.

A relief opening 18 extends through disc 9 and normally connects thespace within can 1 to the outside atmosphere above the disc. Opening 18is closed during operation of pump 13, as by a solenoid valve 19connected in the power line 20 to the motor 12. The space beneath disc 9is freely connected through a plurality of openings 21 in face plate 10to the space inside can 1 so that, when the pump 13 is actuated, airwithin can 1 is drawn upwardly through openings 21, opening 15, tubing14, and pump 13, and is discharged at 16 to the space between the cover3 and disc 9 and from thence through openings 17 to the outside. At thesame time, relief opening 18 is closed by valve 19 whereby theatmospheric pressure on disc 9 forces the latter downwardly in can 1 tocompact the refuse therein.

The face plate 10 is corrugated and openings 21 are distributed thereinat both the top and bottom of the corrugations to prevent clogging ofthe vacuum path by refuse and to provide for drainage in the event anyliquid from the refuse should enter the space between disc 9 and faceplate 10.

Refering to the electrical circuit of FIG. 4, the motor 12 is connectedto a power source, preferably the usual 115 volt line available in mosthouses, by a suitable dual line 20. A timer switch 22 in line 20isclosed by manipulation with a key 23 and is adapted to hold in a closedposition for a given length of time after initiating a compactingoperation, and to reset the switch open until it is desired to initiateanother compacting operation.

A safety micro-switch 24 is provided in line 20 to open the motorcircuit in the event one of the tapes 7 reaches a given extremity ofdownward movement indicating that the pressure plate 6 may have beentilted to its limit or may have moved as far down in can 1 as desired.For this purpose, micro-switch 24 has a lever 25 bearing against thecorresponding tape 7 and disposed to drop into a slot 26 in the tape atthe position of the I latter for actuating the switch to open the line20.

An additional one or more micro-switches 27 in line 20 are disposed tobe actuated to close the line only when cover 3 is properly located oncan 1. For this purpose the micro-switches 27 are disposed in spacedrelation around the peripheral edge of cover 3 with their actuatingplungers 28 adapted to engage the top of the rim of the can 1. If thecover 3 should not be located properly on can 1 at least one of themicro-switches will remain open, thereby preventing actuation of motor12.

FIGS. 5-11 depict an illustrative embodiment of the invention as adaptedfor mounting within a compartment of a kitchen cabinet 30 that isnormally closed by a cabinet door 31. In this case, the can of therefuse compactor is a container of substantially rectangularcross-sectional configuration and, also, incorporates a hinge forpositively guiding the pressure plate and to give leverage to the plate.

More particularly, in this embodiment the refuse container comprises abox-like structure including a floor pan 32, having a rear wall 33 and apair of confronting side walls 34. An arcuate cover 35 is externallyconnected by a combined seal and hinge 36 to the upper rear edge of therear wall 33. This strip may have the profile seen in FIGS. 10a and 10b,comprising an enlarged central bead 36a bordered by hinge leaf portions36b and c. The strip may be formed of rubber or a synthetic plastic.While not fully illustrated, it will be understood that the stripextends for the entire width of the refuse container and is secured inairtight relationship, throughout its length, to the rear edge of cover35 and the upper rear face of back wall 33, as by means of adhesive 37.

As is shown in FIGS. 10 and 10a, the underside of the cover 35 is formedalong opposite edges with open ended grooves 38 which receive the upperedges of the pair of side walls 34 when the cover 35 is in a loweredposition. In order to effect an air tight seal at the junctions of therear wall 33 and the side walls 34 with the cover 35, the grooves 38also seat elongate strips 39 of an impervious material adapted toprovide seals throughout the length of the grooves 38. As is shown inFIG. 10b, the rear ends of the seal strips 39 abut and make sealingcontact with the hinge seal 36.

The floor pan 32 of the trash receptacle may be stepped upwardly, asindicated at 40, in order to conform to the configuration of the usualkick-space construction of a kitchen cabinet. The step structure 40 isprovided along its forward edge with a hinge 41 that mounts a front door42 which is normally held closed in an upstanding vertical position by apair of magnetic latches, as indicated at 43 in FIG. 11. In order tolend rigid reinforcement to the opposite sidewalls 34 of the container,the inner face of the door 42 is formed along opposite vertical sideswith grooves 44 for mating engagement with the forward vertical edges ofthe side walls 34.

In this embodiment of the invention the pressure plate is madeessentially rectangular in planform. It may, for example, comprise arigid assembly of a rigid pressure plate 45 having a congruently shapedcover plate 46 secured thereto by a plurality of fastener means 47. Inorder to effect a continuous or endless peripheral air seal around thepressure plate 45, an endless lip seal member 48 is secured between theedge portions of the pressure plate 45 and cover plate 46.

As is shown in FIGS. 5a and 7, the lower marginal edge portions of thepressure plate 45 and cover plate 46 together define a cylindrical hingebearing 49 on which the pressure plate assembly is rockably sup portedon the lower lip of the seal 48. In order to confine the hinge 49 to adesired hinge axis location, a parallel pair of angle iron members 50are rigidly secured to the floor pan 32 of the trash container with thehinge 49 confined between the upstanding flanges thereof. As isindicated in FIG. 6, the hinge axis location may be approximately midwaybetween the rear wall 33 and door 42 of the container. As will now beapparent, the upper horizontal edge of the pressure plate assembly andthe corresponding lip of the seal 48 are thus swept through arcs havinga center on the hinge axis and the underside of the cover 35 isdownwardly concave on an arc similarly centered.

The hinge mounting for the pressure plate assembly provides a fulcrumagainst which the pressure plate 45 may act as a'lever, thus giving amechanical advantage to the pressure plate in compacting refuse withinthe enclosed volume of the container. At the same time, the hingedconnection provides a positive guide means constraining the pressureplate assembly to reciprocation in the desired arc.

The rigid pressure plate 45 has a planform shape and area to nearlyfully occupy the cross-section of the container but with sufficientperipheral clearance to mount the seal 48 for engagement with the innersurfaces of the container. The seal 48 is made of an imperviousmaterial, preferably a synthetic plastic having a low coefficient offriction, which is flexible and may, also, be resilient. In thedrawings, the typical cross-sectional profile of the seal 48 isillustrated in an essentially relaxed condition and comprises arelatively thick base section, the opposite surfaces of which converge,diminishing in thickness to terminate in a very thin land 48a.Preferably, the endless seal 48 is cast or molded to include a relaxedplanform area which is at least as great as the internal cross-sectionalconfiguration of the container with the land 48a in engagement with theinner surfaces of the container.

Upon being subjected to a reduced internal pressure within the enclosedvolume of the container, the lip of the seal 48, by virtue of itstapered cross-sectional profile, is more readily flexibly deformableinto air sealing engagement with the inner surfaces of the container andthe land 48a is sensitive to relatively small pressure differentials toimmediately define a continuous hermetic seal upon initiation of theevacuation of air from the enclosed volume. After the enclosed volume ofthe container has been vented to atmosphere, equalizing the opposed airpressures on the lip seal 48, the pressure plate 45 may be retractedwithout risk of reversely curling the lip 48, which is reinforcedagainst such curling by the relatively thick base portion thereof.

As is best indicated in FIG. 5a, the cross-sectional profile of the seal48 is typical throughout the length of the seal except at the lower endsof its vertical sides. As is indicated at 48b, the width of the lipgradually diminishes to define a relatively stubby lip having relativelybroad area contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls 34 in thearea of the junction between the hingedly supported pressure plate 45and the floor pan 32, defining a friction seal and minimizing relianceon flexibility of the seal material to accomplish air tight sealing ofthe enclosed volume of the container.

In vertical sectional profile the pressure plate assembly comprises twoangularly related sections such that when the assembly is in retractedposition, indicated in solid outline in FIG. 6, the upper section is insubstantially a vertical plane and supported against the door 42. As isshown in FIG. 5, a constant tension spring roll construction 51 issecured to the front side of the pressure plate assembly and mounts atape52 having one end secured to the inside of the door 42. Thus, as thepressure plate assembly undergoes a compaction stroke, the springs ofthe device 51 are tensioned so that upon release of the vacuum withinthe container the springs effect a return of the pressure plate assemblyfrom the extended position depicted in FIG. 5.

Compacting of refuse is effected by evacuating air from within thecollapsable chamber defined by the container and the pressure plateassembly whereby the latter is forced horizontally towards the rear wall33 by atmospheric pressure. The system of FIG. 4 may be adapted to thispurpose, with vacuum pump 13 mounted on the floor pan 32 in the spacebetween the pressure plate assembly and the door 42, beneath a ventedpump housing 54. The input to the pump 13 is connected by a quantity oftubing 55 to the interior of the collapsable chamber as, for example, bymeans of a coupling 56 mounted adjacent the rear edge of the cover 35.The discharge of pump 13 is through the vented pump housing 54 andthrough vent openings 57 formed in the front door 42.

In order to automatically terminate a compaction stroke of the pressureplate assembly, a limit switch 58 may also be mounted in the pumphousing 54 in electrically operative association with the electric motorfor the pump 13. This switch is provided with a switch arm 59 that isbiased to constantly follow and contact the pressure plate assemblythroughout its arc of reciprocation. The arrangement is such that uponthe pressure plate assembly having been moved through a maximumcompacting stroke, and the switch arm 59 having moved through acorresponding arc, the switch 58 is opened.

In order to vent the enclosed volume of the container to atmosphere,upon opening of the switch 58, the solenoid valve 19 may be coupled tothe junction of the conduit 55 and the intake to the pump 13, as isschematically indicated in FIG. 6. With this arrangement, there is noneed to form a separate vent opening in the pressure plate assembly orin walls of the can or container.

As will be apparent, in the use of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-11,refuse may be introduced thereinto merely by lifting the cover 35 to thedotted outline position depicted in FIG. 6. Refuse then can be droppedbehind the retracted pressure plate assembly after which a compactioncycle may be started, for example, by use of a key switch 22 such as isshown in FIG. 4. After successive loads of trash have been compacted andit is desired to remove the compacted contents of the container, thecover 35 is lifted to permit outward movement of the front door 42 todotted outline position of FIG. 6. This permits the lower angularportion of the pressure plate assembly to be supported by an inclinedtop wall of the pump housing 54, whereby the contents-of the compactormay be readily removed through the relatively wide opening definedbetween the upper edge of the pressure plate assembly and the forwardedge of the cover 35.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an auxiliary or alternative means of breakingthe vacuum within a refuse compactor of the invention. In this case, awall 61 of a refuse can or container is provided on its inner surfacewith a fixed, rigid, inwardly-protruding projection 62. The refusecontainer may be conceived of as being either circular or non-circularin cross-sectional configuration. As before, a pressure plate assembly63 comprises a rigid plate 64 with a cover plate 65 secured thereto,with the marginal edge portions thereof adapted to rigidly clamp abeaded portion 66 of an endless flexible lip seal 67.

The plate 64 and cover 65 are similar in planform to the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the refuse container but slightly smaller in area todefine a clearance between the periphery of the pressure plate 64 andthe inner surface of the wall 61. The seal 67 has a lip 68 whichprotrudes beyond the periphery of the pressure plate 64 and, in responseto a differential of air pressures, is flexibly deformed into sealingengagement with the inner surface of the wall 61 whereby the pressureplate assembly 63 is forced downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 12, inresponse to atmospheric pressure.

In this case the vacuum breaker means comprises one or more of theprotrusions 62 located a predetermined distance beyond the retractedposition of the pressure plate assembly 63. Preferably, such protrusionswould be located in position to define a maximum length of compactionstroke of the pressure plate assembly 63 so that upon the lip 68 cominginto contact with a protrusion 62 the lip is deflected, in the mannerillustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, out of sealing contact with the innersurface of the wall 61, effecting a break in the vacuum on the lowpressure side of the pressure plate assembly 63. This is bestillustrated by the arrows 69 in FIG. 13.

Preferably, the construction of FIGS. 12 and 13 is utilized in acompactor having a control system such as is shown in FIG. 4, orutilizing the timer switch 22 and solenoid valve 19 of FIG. 4. With suchan arrangement, in the event that a refuse container is so thoroughly orfully packed that the pressure plate assembly 63 does not reach thepoint of maximum compaction in which it is coincident with a protrusion62, a time switch, such as the switch 22, will effect opening of thesolenoid valve 19 to interrupt the cycle and to equalize the externaland internal pressures.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14-16. Inthis case, there is an upright can 70 that is preferably substantiallyrectangular in horizontal cross-section throughout its height. Thus, thecan is preferably formed with a vertically extending rear wall 71, apair of flat opposite sidewalls 72, and a front wall comprising a lowersection 73 that is flat and divergently wedgingly related to the rearwall 71 and, also, having an upper wall portion 74 that is arcuate invertical section. A pressure plate assembly 76 that is similar inplanform to the cross-section of the can 70 is hingedly connected, asindicated at 77, to the upper edge of the rear wall 71. In thisconnection, it should be observed that the side walls 72 projectupwardly and rearwardly beyond the upper edge of the rear wall 71.

The pressure plate assembly 76 comprises a pressure plate 78 with acover 79 secured thereto whose marginal edge portions clamp the beadedportion of an endless seal 80 therebetween to support a flexible lip 81in an outwardly projecting position.

As is indicated in FIG. 15, a plenum 82 is defined between confrontingsurfaces of the pressure plate and cover in open communication with anarray of holes 83 extending through the pressure plate. In order toevacuate the interior of the container 70, an opening 84 in the cover isprovided with a coupling to receive one end of a hose 86 whose other endis hooked to the intake of pump 13. Another opening 87 in the covernormally has communication with the atmosphere through solenoid valve 19and is closed during operation of the pump 13 by being connected withinpower line 20 to motor 12 for the pump. As in the case of the firstdescribed embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that therelief opening 87 is closed by the solenoid valve 19 while the pump 13is actuated whereby atmospheric pressure on the pressure plate assembly76 forces it downwardly in the can to compact the refuse therein.

In this case, the endless seal is substantially similar to the seal 48in that embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, theseal 80 along the front edge of the pressure plate assembly 76 and forthe major portion of its length along the opposite sides of the pressureplate is of a uniform cross-section such as is indicated in FIG. 15.However, near the rear ends of the side portions of the seal 80 itscross-section gradually develops into a friction configuration of theseal, as is indicated at 80a in FIG. 16, to provide a friction seal inthe areas around the hinge axis of the pressure plate assembly. Alongthe rear edge of the pressure plate assembly, the seal 80 develops intoa strip which may be bonded to the outside of the upper edge portion ofthe rear wall 71 and along the rear edge portion of the cover of thepressure plate assembly. With this arrangement it will be understoodthat a pressure differential seal extends almost uninterruptedly aroundthe complete periphery of the pressure plate assembly being graduallysupplanted by a friction seal in the wall areas at the opposite ends ofthe hinge.

The inner surface of the front wall portion 74 is formed along an archaving its center at the axis of the hinge 77. Thus, when the pump 13 isactuated by means of the timer switch 22, FIG. 4, the solenoid valve 19is closed. As air is evacuated from the interior of the can 70 the lip81 of the seal is deformed to tight sealing engagement with theconfronting inner wall surfaces of the can 70. The differential ofpressures then effects downward movement of the pressure plate assembly76 to effect compaction of the refuse within the can. Then, upon thejunction 88 of the front wall portions 73 and 74 being passed by the lip81 of the seal, the vacuum beneath plate assembly 76 is broken in orderto permit the pressure plate assembly to be raised to a retractedposition, as by means of a handle 89.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A self contained portable refuse compactor comprising an open toprefuse container, a cover adapted to rest on the top rim of saidcontainer, a pressure plate suspended from said cover and adapted to bemoved downwardly to apply pressure to the refuse in the container, powermeans including an electric motor vacuum pump unit carried by said coverand connected to evacuate air from said container beneath said pressureplate and effect downward movement of said pressure plate therein,spring tensioned means providing for the extension of the suspension ofsaid pressure plate and for retraction of said pressure plate to itsupper position beneath the cover upon termination of operation of saidpower means, and a holding switch in the power circuit of said motor toinitiate actuation of said motor and operate the same for a given cycleto effect compaction of the refuse in the container.

2. The construction of claim 1 and a normally closed safety cutoutmicro-switch to open the power circuit of said motor upon apredetermined extension of the suspension of said pressure plate.

3. The construction of claim 1 and a normally open safety micro-switchin the power circuit for said motor, and means to close said switch uponpredetermined mating of said cover upon the rim of the refuse container.

4. A refuse compactor comprising an open top refuse container, 21 coverfor the open top of said container, a pressure plate suspended from saidcover and adapted to move downwardly to apply compacting pressure to therefuse in said container, said pressure plate comprising a discconstructed to be slidably sealed against the inner wall of said refusecontainer to seal the container space beneath the disc from theatmosphere, a vacuum pump having its inlet connected through an openingin said disc to the container space therebeneath for evacuating air fromsaid space whereby said pressure plate is moved downwardly in saidcontainer by atmospheric pressure applied to said plate to compact therefuse within the container, vacuum relief means responsive to apredetermined degree of movement of said pressure plate to open saidcontainer space to the atmosphere when said evacuating pump isinoperative, and means to retract said pressure plate toward said cover.

5. The construction of claim 4 and a face plate spaced from and securedto said disc to protect said opening from becoming clogged by refuse andto maintain freedom of access of air in the container to said opening.

6. The construction of claim 5 in which said face plate is peripherallysealed to said disc and is corrugated centrally in spaced relation tosaid disc, said face plate having holes therein distributed throughoutthe upper and lower convolutions of the corrugations therein.

7. The construction of claim 4 in which said relief means comprises arelief port through said disc for connecting the space therebelow to theatmosphere, and valve means closing said relief port upon actuation ofsaid vacuum pump.

8. A refuse compactor comprising:

a rigid container;

a rigid pressure plate that is freely reciprocable within saidcontainer;

an endless hermetic seal means mounted on the periphery of said plate, aportion, at least, of said seal means comprising an impervious flexiblesheet material that engages inner surfaces of said container outside ofthe volume of said container that is covered by said plate;

said flexible sheet material, when subjected to a reduction of theinternal pressure of the volume of said container that is covered bysaid plate, being flexibly deformed into air sealing engagement withinner surfaces of said container and, when subjected to substantiallyequal internal and external pressures, assuming an essentially relaxedstate to minimize frictional resistance to movement of said sheetmaterial over said inner surfaces of said container;

and a means to evacuate air from the volume of said container that iscovered by said plate to bias said sheet material into air sealingengagement with said inner surfaces of said container to effect refusecompacting movement of said plate, in opposition to a wall of saidcontainer, by atmospheric pressure,

said sheet material, when said means to evacuate air is inoperative andupon substantial equalization of the internal and external pressures,assuming an essentially relaxed state to minimize frictional resistanceto movement of said pressure plate in a direction away from said wall ofsaid container.

9. A refuse compactor as in claim 8 in which said container is ofcircular cross-section and said plate is circular in planform.

10. A refuse compactor as in claim 9 in which said hermetic seal meanscomprises an endless piece of said impervious sheet material having asubstantially uniform radial cross-section including a lip that extendsradially beyond the periphery of said plate to span an annular clearancespace between the periphery of said plate and the inner surface of saidcontainer.

11. A refuse compactor as in claim 10 in which said seal means is of apiston-cup configuration having an endless free edge portion that isflexibly deformable into substantially cylindrical configuration toconform to the circular cross-section of said container.

12. A refuse compactor as in claim 8 in which said container isnon-circular in cross-section in the region of said pressure plate andsaid plate has a planform that is geometrically similar to saidnon-circular crosssection.

13. A refuse compactor comprising;

a rigid container;

a rigid pressure plate that is pivotally secured to said container forreciprocation of a free end of said plate through an are within saidcontainer during refuse compaction and plate retraction strokes of saidplate, said plate being mounted in opposition to an inner surface ofsaid container to compact refuse therebetween during a compaction strokeof said plate;

means including said pressure plate to seal the inside of said containerfrom the atmosphere;

and a vacuum means to evacuate air from the inside of said container toeffect a compaction stroke of said plate by atmospheric pressure.

14. A refuse compactor as in claim 13 in which:

said plate is non-circular in planform and is reciprocable within asection, at least, of said container that is geometrically similar incross-section to the planform of said plate, said plate having an areato substantially fully close said section of said con tainer.

15. A refuse compactor as in claim 14 in which said seal means comprisesan endless member mounted at the periphery of said plate for sealingengagement with walls of said container.

16. A refuse compactor as in claim 15 in which said endless memberincludes a lip of a flexible sheet material that is deformable by adifferential of internal and atmospheric pressures into air sealingengagement with wall surfaces of said container.

17. A refuse compactor comprising:

a rigid container;

a rigid pressure plate in said container having a planform that isgeometrically similar to the crosssection of said container and of anarea to substantially fully close said section of said container;

means for hermetically sealing the volume enclosed by said container andsaid plate;

means to reduce the internal pressure of the enclosed volume to effectmovement of said plate by atmospheric pressure to compact refuse in saidcontainer;

and a vacuum relief means that vents the enclosed volume to atmospherein response to a predetermined degree of movement of said plate in arefuse compacting direction.

18. A refuse compactor as in claim 17 having a means to retract saidpressure plate when said container is vented to atmosphere.

19. A refuse compactor as in claim 17 in which said means forhermetically sealing comprises an endless member mounted at theperiphery of said plate for sealing engagement with walls of saidcontainer.

20. A refuse compactor as in claim 19 in which said member includes alip of a flexible sheet material that is deformable by a differential ofinternal and atmospheric pressures into air sealing engagement with wallsurfaces of said container.

21. A refuse compactor as in claim 20 in which said vacuum release meanscomprises at least one inwardly directed protrusion on an inner surfaceof said container having shape characteristics to deflect a portion ofsaid flexible lip out of air sealing engagement with said inner surfaceupon movement of said lip thereover.

22. A refuse compactor as in claim 20 in which said vacuum relief meanscomprises a portion of the inner surface of the enclosed volume of saidcontainer that is disposed beyond the reach of said lip to provide openfluid communication between the enclosed volume and the atmosphere uponmovement of said lip therepast during compacting movement of said plate.

23. A refuse compactor as in claim 17 in which said vacuum release meanscomprises an opening into the volume enclosed by said container and saidplate and a valve to close said opening during actuation of said meansto reduce the internal pressure of the enclosed volume.

24. A refuse compactor as in claim 23 in which said means to reduceinternal pressure comprises a vacuum pump and a control circuit thatincludes said valve, said circuit also including a means to close saidvalve during operation of said pump.

25. A refuse compactor comprising:

a rigid container;

a rigid pressure plate within said container having a planform shape andarea to substantially fully occupy a cross-section of said containerthroughout a given length of said container in which said plate canreciprocate in a direction normal to said crosssection, said plate beingof an area that is freely movable through said given length of saidcontainer with sufficient peripheral clearance to permit tilting of saidplate out of a plane that is normal to said direction upon said plateencountering a non-uniform mass of refuse;

flexible means to close said clearance between said plate and containerwall in all positions of said plate;

and means to evacuate said container to move said plate in a directionto compact refuse within said container.

26. A refuse compactor as in claim 25 in which said flexible meanscomprises an endless piece of flexible sheet material secured to theperiphery of said plate to project outwardly therefrom intosubstantially continous slidable engagement with the inner surface ofsaid container.

27. A refuse compactor as in claim 26 in which said endless flexiblesheet of impervious material has a width sufficient to be flexiblydeformed into a pistoncup cross-sectional configuration sealinglyengaged with the inner surface of said container throughout an angularrange of tilting of said plate out of a plane normal to said direction.

1. A self contained portable refuse compactor comprising an open toprefuse container, a cover adapted to rest on the top rim of saidcontainer, a pressure plate suspended from said cover and adapted to bemoved downwardly to apply pressure to the refuse in the container, powermeans including an electric motor vacuum pump unit carried by said coverand connected to evacuate air from said container beneath said pressureplate and effect downward movement of said pressure plate therein,spring tensioned means providing for the extension of the suspension ofsaid pressure plate and for retraction of said pressure plate to itsupper position beneath the cover upon termination of operation of saidpower means, and a holding switch in the power circuit of said motor toinitiate actuation of said motor and operate the same for a given cycleto effect compaction of the refuse in the container.
 2. The constructionof claim 1 and a normally closed safety cutout micro-switch to open thepower circuit of said motor upon a predetermined extension of thesuspension of said pressure plate.
 3. The construction of claim 1 and anormally open safety micro-switch in the power circuit for said motor,and means to close said switch upon predetermined mating of said coverupon the rim of the refuse container.
 4. A refuse compactor comprisingan open top refuse container, a cover for the open top of saidcontainer, a pressure plate suspended from said cover and adapted tomove downwardly to apply compacting pressure to the refuse in saidcontainer, said pressure plate comprising a disc constructed to beslidably sealed against the inner wall of said refuse container to sealthe container space beneath the disc from the atmosphere, a vacuum pumphaving its inlet connected through an opening in said disc to thecontainer space therebeneath for evacuating air from said space wherebysaid pressure plate is moved downwardly in said container by atmosphericpressure applied to said plate to compact the refuse within thecontainer, vacuum relief means responsive to a predetermined degree ofmovement of said pressure plate to open said container space to theatmosphere when said evacuating pump is inoperative, and means toretract said pressure plate toward said cover.
 5. The construction ofclaim 4 and a face plate spaced from and secured to said disc to protectsaid opening from becoming clogged by refuse and to maintain freedom ofaccess of air in the container to said opening.
 6. The construction ofclaim 5 in which said face plate is peripherally sealed to said disc andis corrugated centrally in spaced relation to said disc, said face platehaving holes therein distributed throughout the upper and lowerconvolutions of the corrugations therein.
 7. The construction of claim 4in which said relief means comprises a relief port through said disc forconnecting the space therebelow to the atmosphere, and valve meansclosing said relief port upon actuation of said vacuum pump.
 8. A refusecompactor comprising: a rigid container; a rigid pressure plate that isfreely reciprocable within said container; an endless hermetic sealmeans mounted on the periphery of said plate, a portion, at least, ofsaid seal means comprising an impervious flexible sheet material thatengages inner surfaces of said container outside of the volume of saidcontainer that is covered by said plate; said flexible sheet material,when subjected to a reduction of the internal pressure of the volume ofsaid container that is covered by said plate, being flexibly deformedinto air sealing engagement with inner surfaces of said container and,when subjected to substantially equal internal and external pressures,assuming an essentially relaxed state to minimize frictional resistanceto movement of said sheet material over said inner surfaces of saidcontainer; and a means to evacuate air from the volume of said containerthat is covered by said plate to Bias said sheet material into airsealing engagement with said inner surfaces of said container to effectrefuse compacting movement of said plate, in opposition to a wall ofsaid container, by atmospheric pressure, said sheet material, when saidmeans to evacuate air is inoperative and upon substantial equalizationof the internal and external pressures, assuming an essentially relaxedstate to minimize frictional resistance to movement of said pressureplate in a direction away from said wall of said container.
 9. A refusecompactor as in claim 8 in which said container is of circularcross-section and said plate is circular in planform.
 10. A refusecompactor as in claim 9 in which said hermetic seal means comprises anendless piece of said impervious sheet material having a substantiallyuniform radial cross-section including a lip that extends radiallybeyond the periphery of said plate to span an annular clearance spacebetween the periphery of said plate and the inner surface of saidcontainer.
 11. A refuse compactor as in claim 10 in which said sealmeans is of a piston-cup configuration having an endless free edgeportion that is flexibly deformable into substantially cylindricalconfiguration to conform to the circular cross-section of saidcontainer.
 12. A refuse compactor as in claim 8 in which said containeris non-circular in cross-section in the region of said pressure plateand said plate has a planform that is geometrically similar to saidnon-circular cross-section.
 13. A refuse compactor comprising; a rigidcontainer; a rigid pressure plate that is pivotally secured to saidcontainer for reciprocation of a free end of said plate through an arcwithin said container during refuse compaction and plate retractionstrokes of said plate, said plate being mounted in opposition to aninner surface of said container to compact refuse therebetween during acompaction stroke of said plate; means including said pressure plate toseal the inside of said container from the atmosphere; and a vacuummeans to evacuate air from the inside of said container to effect acompaction stroke of said plate by atmospheric pressure.
 14. A refusecompactor as in claim 13 in which: said plate is non-circular inplanform and is reciprocable within a section, at least, of saidcontainer that is geometrically similar in cross-section to the planformof said plate, said plate having an area to substantially fully closesaid section of said container.
 15. A refuse compactor as in claim 14 inwhich said seal means comprises an endless member mounted at theperiphery of said plate for sealing engagement with walls of saidcontainer.
 16. A refuse compactor as in claim 15 in which said endlessmember includes a lip of a flexible sheet material that is deformable bya differential of internal and atmospheric pressures into air sealingengagement with wall surfaces of said container.
 17. A refuse compactorcomprising: a rigid container; a rigid pressure plate in said containerhaving a planform that is geometrically similar to the cross-section ofsaid container and of an area to substantially fully close said sectionof said container; means for hermetically sealing the volume enclosed bysaid container and said plate; means to reduce the internal pressure ofthe enclosed volume to effect movement of said plate by atmosphericpressure to compact refuse in said container; and a vacuum relief meansthat vents the enclosed volume to atmosphere in response to apredetermined degree of movement of said plate in a refuse compactingdirection.
 18. A refuse compactor as in claim 17 having a means toretract said pressure plate when said container is vented to atmosphere.19. A refuse compactor as in claim 17 in which said means forhermetically sealing comprises an endless member mounted at theperiphery of said plate for sealing engagement with walls of saidcontainer.
 20. A refuse compactoR as in claim 19 in which said memberincludes a lip of a flexible sheet material that is deformable by adifferential of internal and atmospheric pressures into air sealingengagement with wall surfaces of said container.
 21. A refuse compactoras in claim 20 in which said vacuum release means comprises at least oneinwardly directed protrusion on an inner surface of said containerhaving shape characteristics to deflect a portion of said flexible lipout of air sealing engagement with said inner surface upon movement ofsaid lip thereover.
 22. A refuse compactor as in claim 20 in which saidvacuum relief means comprises a portion of the inner surface of theenclosed volume of said container that is disposed beyond the reach ofsaid lip to provide open fluid communication between the enclosed volumeand the atmosphere upon movement of said lip therepast during compactingmovement of said plate.
 23. A refuse compactor as in claim 17 in whichsaid vacuum release means comprises an opening into the volume enclosedby said container and said plate and a valve to close said openingduring actuation of said means to reduce the internal pressure of theenclosed volume.
 24. A refuse compactor as in claim 23 in which saidmeans to reduce internal pressure comprises a vacuum pump and a controlcircuit that includes said valve, said circuit also including a means toclose said valve during operation of said pump.
 25. A refuse compactorcomprising: a rigid container; a rigid pressure plate within saidcontainer having a planform shape and area to substantially fully occupya cross-section of said container throughout a given length of saidcontainer in which said plate can reciprocate in a direction normal tosaid cross-section, said plate being of an area that is freely movablethrough said given length of said container with sufficient peripheralclearance to permit tilting of said plate out of a plane that is normalto said direction upon said plate encountering a non-uniform mass ofrefuse; flexible means to close said clearance between said plate andcontainer wall in all positions of said plate; and means to evacuatesaid container to move said plate in a direction to compact refusewithin said container.
 26. A refuse compactor as in claim 25 in whichsaid flexible means comprises an endless piece of flexible sheetmaterial secured to the periphery of said plate to project outwardlytherefrom into substantially continous slidable engagement with theinner surface of said container.
 27. A refuse compactor as in claim 26in which said endless flexible sheet of impervious material has a widthsufficient to be flexibly deformed into a piston-cup cross-sectionalconfiguration sealingly engaged with the inner surface of said containerthroughout an angular range of tilting of said plate out of a planenormal to said direction.